TIMMINS – A Josh Dickson power play goal, during a two-man advantage six and a half minutes into the second period, proved to be the game-winner as the Timmins Rock went on to edge the Hearst Lumberjacks 2-1 Sunday in a tightly-contested Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair at McIntyre Arena.
Some crafty work on the penalty kill helped Timmins supply the day’s opening tally that saw Dickson slide a nice pass over to Derek Seguin, who calmly chipped in a shorthanded marker from the left side of the crease past Hearst starter Liam Oxner at 13:23 of the first period.
The helper for Dickson helped him extend a season-high point streak to seven.
A late man advantage aided in the Lumberjacks pulling even as Trystan Mughal finished off some nice puck movement by the visitors as he snapped in his first of the season off an attempt from the left circle that beat Rock netminder Tyler Masternak with just nine seconds remaining in the period to send the teams to the intermission knotted at one.
In the middle frame, Dickson got the decider for the Rock via the man advantage as a clean faceoff win by Zach Smith got it back to him, where he promptly whipped a quick attempt by Oxner from the slot.
Both goaltenders held firm from there as the remainder of the match-up provided no further goals.
Shots on net finished up 29-22 in favour of Timmins with Masternak getting the win while Oxner suffered the narrow defeat.
The two clubs will square off again Tuesday evening in an 8 p.m. start back at ‘The Mac.’
Game Photos: Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
